You don't have to hurt me to love me | Moon Knight

Punishment

"Don't you dare leave me alone like that, ever again!" You whispered, fisted hands hitting his chest lightly with every word, wishing that your voice sounded strong, but knowing that it had come out broken, as tears and sobs wrenched their way out of your soul.

The anger had converted into fear and love and missing him the moment you had laid eyes on him.

"I am sorry kitten," he whispered, wiping your tears away, his voice just as broken as yours.

"I know I shouldn't have done that, but honestly... I still don't... ughhh... I could end up hurting you the more I keep you close, the more I love you." he groaned out as you wrapped your arms around him and held him as close to you as you possibly could.

"If that does happen, and it's a big IF, we could work together on healing me, moon... You are afraid of a future that hasn't even occurred yet... That's... that's hardly living Marc!" you said between angry sobs. "You don't have to hurt me to love me! We can live a wonderful life together without that ever happening!"

"I know kitten. I just... I don't think I could live if something happened to you... Just the possibility of that occurring... it's terrifying me to the depths of my soul!" he shuddered, holding you so close that there was no space separating your body. His hands roamed over your body gently as if you were too fragile for him to touch, to hold. You tightened your grip around him, letting him know that nothing was going to separate you... his words registering hazily as you focus out of his touches.

"Why... why do you think that could happen moon? Why do you think that's a possibility?"  you ask, trying to push yourself away from him so that you could look at his face, but he just held you tighter, afraid that one look from you could either shatter or make his life.

"Because I am a monster Y/N! As cliched as it sounds, almost everyone I have ever truly loved has died. Heck, I almost lost Steven in the Duat. I can't bear to see that happen with you! I just can't!!" he grumbled so softly, that you wouldn't have caught it if you weren't as close to him as you are now. 

He was trembling underneath you, his hands loosening their grip around your body as he waited with bated breath for you to get up and leave. Waiting for the realization to sink in, of what living with them meant to you. 

As if your words and feelings would be hollowed out by the truth... A truth that you were already aware of since the day Marc had fallen into your arms exhausted by the mission, since the day you were told about the identities of Moon Knight... 

Taking in a deep breath, you tightened your grip around him.

"But Marc, that's our reality. And I don't wish to go all philosophical on you guys, you who have actually born the weight of death and returned back... I know that both of you are aware of this truth far more than my feeble words could ever comprehend... But no matter how much we try to fight it, no matter how much we try to love, we will end up dying at one point. We can't prevent it moon..." but before you could finish your sentence you were rolled around, Marc's eyes blown wide as he took deep shuddering breaths that shook his entire body.

"Don't you dare! Don't you dare die," he said, voice breaking as he clutched at his heart and pressed a hand against yours as if to remind him that you were still alive. Still with him.

"Okay, I will try!" You said chuckling softly, pulling him close so that you could hug him, do anything to keep him close, and never let go. His argument sounded childish, but you understood the feelings behind them. 

Your hands cupped his face so that he looked at you, his eyes lost and broken, opening the window to his soul that was aching for love but afraid of it at the same time.